It is a FALSE STATEMENT that the POLICE were escorting cocoa smugglers to the Widana/Pulimakom border on 9th October, 2024

(1). I am permanently resident in Bawku, and I observe security and intelligence operations in Bawku and other parts of the Kusuag Traditional Area.

(2). On 9th October, 2024, the Police FPU performed a national patriotic duty by arresting the driver of a Kia truck with registration number AS 551 -21 attempting to smuggle some bags of cocoa into Togo through the Widana/Polimakom border.

(3). Strangely, some indisciplined, uncooperative, unpatriotic personnel of some of the sister security agencies attempted to thwart the efforts of the Police FPU, which resulted in a shameful clash at Missiga.

(4). Frequent clashes between security forces in a conflict-prone area like Bawku and its environs are unhealthy and unprofessional.

(5). Since last night, I began to read some misinformation being churned out that the POLICE FPU were escorting cocoa smugglers to Togo. That is absolutely FALSE!

(6). I write to debunk the FALSE STATEMENT and to commend the POLICE FPU for doing their work in the face of provocation from other Security Agents who don’t seem to have any business dealing with internal policing and enforcement of security laws and regulations.

(7). IT IS THE POILCE FPU WHO ARRESTED THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK LOADED WITH SACKS OF COCIA AND OTHER GOODS AND ATTEMPTED TO ESCORT THE TRUCK TO THE BAWKU DIVISIONAL POLICE COMMAND!!

(8). Personnel of the other sister security agencies have to explain to the nation the circumstances under which they engaged in a gun fight with the Police leading to the assault and injury of Police Constable Nicholas Opare, and vandalising of a Police armourred vehicle number GP3498.

(9). It is common knowledge among the locals in the border communities that a cocoa purchasing company has been established in Togo, that buys a bag of cocoa for about ten thousand (10,000) cedis, which is higher than the three thousand (3000) cedis per bag being purchased by the cocoa regulator in Ghana.

(10). It is common knowledge that sacks of cocoa are hidden in truckloads of mangoes and other commodities and smuggled across the border at Bunkpurugu in the North East Region and Widana/Pulimakom in the Upper East Region.

(11). It is common knowledge that cocoa smugglers often use the road from Nakpanduri to link up with the Missiga-Pulimakom highway at Basyunde Corner. The smugglers meander their way through these communities:
Nakpanduri, Denugu, Dabilla (CEPS Barrier), Yakubu Corner, Sumaduri, Garu, Adomiabra (Nyousbaraa), Nitabugsuk, Gagbiri, Kugsabla, Bupeilisi, Basyonde.

(12). Finally, I wish to state that THIS NONSENSE MUST STOP IN THE BAWKU GENERAL AREA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE UPPER EAST REGION WHERE SECURITY AGENTS CLASH AND SHOW FORCE TO EACH OTHER FOR NONSENSICAL REASONS!! Why did some arguments between sexually active young soldiers and prisons personnel over an overused, retrofitted, retired, and tired vagina of a Kusasi woman at the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the enskinment of the Bawku Naba escalate into a full blown fight between soldiers and prison officers in Bawku?

(13). Such clashes can escalate tensions, violence, and undermine trust and confidence in the security agents.

(14). Are the security agents not aware that their mistrust for each other seriously distracts from their primary goal of maintaining peace and security in Bawku and other operational areas in the region?

(15). Are the Security Agents not aware that their unhealthy and frequent avoidable clashes will weaken the already relatively weak security architecture in the Bawku general area?

(16). The Ministers of National Security, Defence and Interior must reflect carefully on this statement by a Bawku local who said to me:

“THE SECURITY AGENTS ON THE GROUND IN BAWKU AND OTHER AREAS ARE REFLECTING THE INTRA-AGENCY AND INTER-AGENCY INFIGHTING, DIVISIONS AND STRUGGLES AT THE TOP IN ACCRA.”

I shall return.

Owula Mangortey
Bawku
10th October 2024